Best hotels in Kenya

Wide, acacia-dotted Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in the heart of northern Kenya is a hauntingly beautiful place. So it's no wonder that this charismatic wilderness is home to Sirikoi, a family-run, award-winning lodge that's dedicated to its environment, the people who live here and those who visit it. Come to Lewa to see abundant wildlife – including endangered species such as black and white rhino and Grevy’s zebra – and stay in true colonial comfort with world-class fine dining, spacious and homely accommodation and congenial staff. The area is malaria free and has a beautiful spring-like climate almost all year.

In a world where so many hotels claim "luxury" status, this is one that delivers. The staff are welcoming and keen to oblige (you are even assigned a butler), the suites are grand and the setting is so tranquil and lovely it's hard to imagine you're in the middle of a traffic-congested city. There's not a murmur, apart from the birds and the fountains. And there's something other-worldly about the view of Karen Blixen's green hills from your balcony. The food is top-notch too – carnivores come miles for the steak!

Where a curve of the bay hugs the sandy shoreline, Kizingo Lodge nestles, tucked into the dunes and surrounded by beachside scrub. A short boat ride from Shela village and main town Lamu, it’s located right on a spectacularly-deserted 12-kilometre beach and it’s almost absurd not to kick your shoes off and run wild in the sand. Considering the more remote location, food is exceptionally good, and much of the ingredients are sourced from the lodge gardens. Enjoy your morning coffee on your private veranda that has views right over the sand and into the waters, admiring the fishing dhows as they sail past.

Ithumba Hill Camp is owned by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It is their newest self-catering retreat and was created to offer increased luxury for guests exploring Tsavo East’s remote northern area whilst visiting the Trust’s Ithumba elephant orphans. The luxury tented camp was opened in 2015. It has an elevated position halfway up Ithumba Hill, and enjoys breath-taking views across Tsavo’s vast landscape. Like the trusts two other properties, it has been designed for the more intrepid traveller who enjoys travelling off the beaten track.

Kichwa Tembo Camp, like its sister Bateleur Camp, lies in the western Mara in a private concession that has been leased from its Maasai landlords. Fewer visitors come to this region, although the landscape is filled with wild animals all year, so you're assured more private viewings. The camp lies directly in the path of the annual Great Migration and, in season, you're likely to get the best sightings of the stampeding animals crossing the Mara River, the stuff of documentaries worldwide.

Ol Tukai Lodge is one of the larger safari establishments in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, with 80 luxurious African-style rooms and a vast central area set within manicured lawns. The rooms are protected from the ever-present herds of elephant and other passing wildlife by an unobtrusive boundary fence for peace of mind. This is an Eco-rated lodge, with excellent modern facilities offering a choice of family-friendly accommodation and romantic seclusion, with the special three-bedroom, sole-use Kibo Villa for the ultimate private experience. There are plenty of activities available at the lodge, and guided game drives are offered in the surrounding national park, which always promise to be epic.

Loisaba Tented Camp embodies a true balance between people, landscape, culture and the wildlife. Set in the thriving Laikipia region of central Kenya, the lodge aims to touch your mind, body and soul while on safari in this unique and beautiful land. You can't help leaving truly moved. Loisaba also encourages local communities to get involved in the lodge. This philosophy infiltrates every part of the ranch and conservancy, and the local Samburu and Maasai tribes are full partners in the project. Head out into the local conservancy in search of big game such as lion, elephant and buffalo (as well as unique species such as the Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe), with a rare insight into the nomadic Samburu and Maasai people's cultures and traditions.

Perched on the banks of the Ngobit River with Mount Kenya's snow-capped peaks as its backdrop, The River Camp delivers intimate luxury in one of Africa's most pioneering conservation areas. Sprinkled along the riverbank, there are just eight tents (the camp has a max of 20 guests), making sure you get the full exclusive experience in renowned Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Beyond Big Five encounters, you'll witness leading conservation efforts firsthand, from tracking lions with researchers to meeting the planet's last two northern white rhinos. With private decks overlooking wildlife watering holes and spa treatments after action-packed days, it's safari sophistication with serious conservation credentials.

Stay in luxurious, imaginatively furnished netted tents at eco-friendly Elephant Watch Camp. Set in the Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya, the camp is small but perfect, with not a single fence to separate you from the animals that live here. Watch and listen to an elephant scooping nutritious Acacia tortilis seeds from your roof. (You're quite safe, so simply enjoy the experience.) Then wake in the morning to birdcalls, step outdoors to explore the camp, satisfy your appetite with five-star meals and tread softly with your Samburu guide as you discover the wildlife and learn the ways of the bush.

Tucked among thorn trees, Lewa rises from its hillside setting with a distinctly organic style. Thatched and intriguing, the main area is outdone in the quaintness stakes by its cocoon-like cottages—aptly called Earth Pods. The lodge lies at the very heart of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The main building, once a private home, is set on a hill, so the views across the landscape are uninterrupted – southwards to Mt Kenya and, to the north, the rugged Mathews Range and the sacred mountain of Ol Olokwe. Lewa has some of the best game viewing in East Africa.

Sitting pretty in the leafy Westlands neighbourhood, this polished city hotel manages to feel like an urban oasis despite being minutes from downtown. The formula's simple: European elegance plus Kenyan hospitality, served up across 200 rooms and suites. Seven restaurants mean you'll never tire of dining options (from Italian classics at Lucca to rooftop Middle Eastern fare at Tambourin), whilst the spa leaves guests afloat on Cloud Nine with its Kenyan coffee scrubs and baobab oil massages. With complimentary minibars (yes please!), a heated pool and impeccable service, it's the perfect launching pad before heading off into the wilds of Kenya.

Looking for somewhere to holiday with your kids? Voyager Beach is ideal – a seaside resort with a sociable vibe that's perfect for families or sociable travellers. While it's hardly a remote island getaway, the resort offers both fun and relaxation in equal measure. It lies on pretty Nyali Beach, near Mombasa, in a colour palette of white sands, ocean blues, and greens. There's room for a huge number of guests, and activities for nearly every hour of the day. While there are plenty of quiet corners to slip into, we'd recommend this destination for some really happy family fun.

When the grandfather of the present owners of Borana arrived in this spot, 17 miles (27 kilometres) north of the equator and 6,000 feet (1,830 metres) above sea level, he simply fell in love with its isolation and wildness. Now his descendants have built a lodge on the land that he adored. Made of local, sustainable materials, Borana Lodge sits subtly on this malaria-free landscape, with panoramic views across the Samangua Valley and the Lewa Plains to the Ngare Ndare Forest and Mount Kenya beyond. Inside, all is luxurious and plush. A perfect breakaway location in a splendid setting.